That's something we like to point out about New York - you are not going to be spending a lot of time in your room. The best thing to think about when booking a hotel is the location and affordability.

You are, after all, in the city that never sleeps!

10 Fun Things to do in New York City at Christmas

Bundle up with your favourite hat, scarf, and mittens.

Pack your comfortable and warm winter boots, and get ready to explore our Christmas in New York.

#1. The Rockettes Christmas Extravaganza

When putting the question out on Facebook as to whether or not we should see the Rockettes, I was sure my New York friends were going to tell me I was nuts.

Radio City Music Hall - A dream come true

It turned out that everyone said "Go see the Rockettes!"

Rockettes Christmas Show

It's a New York City institution dating back to 1932. If you are going to catch a show during the holidays, this is the one to see.

I was expecting to see 90 minutes of women kicking their legs high in the air Chorus Line style, but there's a ton of thought that goes into the show.

Rockettes in the Christmas Spirit

There are singers, figure skaters, a 3D screen showing Santa's adventure, and a group of shorter and more diverse male and female dancers backing up the actual Rockettes.

#2 The Nutcracker

See the Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center

If you want to see another Christmas Show, the Nutcracker is performed by the New York City Ballet at the Lincoln Centre.

I have seen so many shows on TV starting with the Lincoln Centre that I felt giddy stepping foot on the complex.

So many things to see at the Lincoln Center

Besides the ballet, you'll find the Opera House and Geffen Hall where the New York City Philharmonic plays.

Handel's Messiah was being presented while we were there.

#3 Christmas Markets

Visit the many Christmas Markets

You can't have a proper Christmas in New York without visiting the Christmas Markets. We visited our first Christmas Markets during a river cruise of Europe a few years ago, and since that time, they have been sprouting up everywhere.

Christmas Market Columbus Circle

New York City has markets all over town from uptown to downtown.

Union Square Christmas Markets

We visited several holiday markets from the indoor market at Grand Central Station (a New York City tourist attraction unto itself) to the lovely stalls at Union Square, Columbus Circle.

And our personal favourite, Bryant Park.

#4 Bryant Park

Why was Bryant Park our favourite? Well, for one, you can skate here for free!

Free Skating Rink at Bryant Park

Bring your hockey or figure skates along and you can go skating at Bryant Park. If you don't have your own skates, rentals are $20.

Christmas Markets at Bryant Park

The arena is surrounded by Christmas stalls selling ornaments, arts and crafts, and of course, apple cider to keep you warm.

Bryant Park Christmas Tree

There's a great Christmas tree here as well, which we actually enjoyed more than the tree at the Rockefeller Centre.

#5 The Tree At Rockefeller Center

Crowds are out of this world at Rockefeller Center because everyone's trying to grab a photograph in front of the Christmas tree.

Rockefeller Tree decorated for Christmas in New York

If you go in the morning or later at night, they will die down a bit and you can see the lights displayed on the tree overlooking the famous skating rink.

Rockefeller Center ornaments

I wouldn't recommend skating here. The fees are high and there is a long wait to get on the ice, but it's worth stopping by to see the holiday display and to pop into the Rockefeller Center to use the free public washrooms, have a seat, and warm up with a cup of coffee in the concourse.

We have heard that the horses are kept in tiny stalls. They don't get to go out to pasture and they have to stand on concrete 24 hours a day.

But we have also heard that the horses are treated humanely and are mostly rescue animals.

It is up to you if you want to take a carriage ride or not. We chose not to, but here are two sides to help you make a decision.

This quote from animal right's activist Jane Velez-Mitchell made us think twice and forego the horse and buggy and instead explore by foot. “Horses are flight animals. They’re also pasture animals. They go from being locked in a carriage horse to locked in a stall behind bars. They do not get to go into a pasture and they’re in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the entire world,” JaneUnchained.com.

Carriage.com says, The NYSVMS has has been committed to ensuring the humane treatment of all animals throughout New York State for 125 years, and writes that “Opponents of horse-drawn carriages are also misinformed about the conditions in the carriage industry, frequently claiming that the horses are forced to live and work under inhumane conditions. A careful examination of the lives of these animals reveals the opposite. These horses, many of which are rescue animals themselves, live and work under the careful scrutiny of the veterinary profession, which follows stringent standards designed to ensure the animal’s welfare is of paramount importance.”

#9 Tavern on the Green

We were excited to visit Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The top hat and tails clad doorman greeted us with a smile as he let us into the city's iconic landmark.

Tavern on the Green - the most romantic Christmas stop

But we made the mistake of not making reservations, and so only had the opportunity to browse the gift shop and check out the sitting area by the bar. When we arrived at 2 pm there was a 90-minute wait for a table.

This is a romantic destination and the setting is beautiful, but do yourself a favour and reserve a table for lunch. I want to go back and sit inside properly.

Don't make the mistake we made.

#10 A View from Brooklyn

There are many places to get a great view of the New York City skyline, but our favourite is definitely from Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge).

This is a spot you recognize from many a Hollywood movie, where historic buildings lead down narrow streets directly to the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.

Christmas in New York: New York City Skyline

From the waterfront here you can snap several different views of the New York City skyline, but the most impressive picture comes from Pier 2 where wooden poles jut out of the water, making for an impressive foreground.

There are always so many things to do in New York at Christmas, so if you want to fulfill your Christmas in New York City dream like we did, start planning now. You won't be disappointed.

We loved every minute of our holiday; there's no other place in the world where Christmas is embraced as much as New York City.

38 Responses to "Christmas in New York – 10 Best Things to do in NYC for the Holidays"

By Catherine Meglio December 14, 2018 - 5:42 pm

Dozens of prominent veterinarians and equine experts have examined and affirm the safety, good health, contentment, and strictly followed regulations applied to New York City’s Central Park Carriage Horses. Over 140,000 unemployed, high maintenance, and unwanted American horses end up in Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses every year. Even Buck Brannaman of the “Horse Whisperer” fame has studied the dynamics of the carriage wheels, the street surfaces, the horse’s shoes, etc, and asserts the comfort and safety of the carriage horses. A horse’s body language doesn’t lie, but some radical animal rights extremists do.

By Susan December 14, 2018 - 1:31 pm

Because you listened to Jane Velez-Mitchell, you missed THE most historic NYC attraction: a carriage ride through Central Park. I doubt Jane has even been inside a carriage horse barn in NYC, but I have. The horses certainly have room to lie down and sleep, in a comfortable, secure setting. They are fed and have any medical needs (including dentistry and podiatry) checked on and cared for. The carriage rides are reasonable, since the price is not per person, but per carriage- 2,3,4 people. If you stay at the Plaza, you can arrange for the carriage to pick you up and even feed carrots to the carriage horses! Central Park was built in the 1800’s, meant to be seen from a carriage or from horseback. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a carriage ride. Don’t believe the lies spread by ignorant people.

By For the horses December 14, 2018 - 12:43 pm

It’s too bad this article had to fall for the biased ignorance of PETA apologist Jane Velez Mitchell concerning the Carriages in Central Park. (PETA’S single animal “shelter” has an 85+% kill rate, among the highest in the country) The carriage horses have one of the highest levels of oversight and legal protection in the world. They have nearly 150 pages of regulations governing them, are inspected hundreds of times a year, and are in daily contact with the NYPD mounted units. They are the safest ground transportation in the city. Those who actually know and understand working horses, including the American Veterinary Medicine Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the New York State Veterinary Society and dozens of independent vets and horse people have endorsed the industry. And yes, the horses can lay down! Efforts to ban the carriage horses we’re laughed out of the city council for lack of evidence. PETA’s bizarre mission is to eliminate ALL domesticated animals (“Better dead than fed”) and cannot be trusted as an accurate source of information.

Great discussions are happening here! NYC looks like a dream city for visitors from all over the world. This article definitely create holiday mood! Stunning! Appreciate and i would share it with my friends!

New York city is one of the best destination of Europe to enjoy Christmas. its really amazing place to enjoy at this time and you shared best things to enjoy here and great photos you shared of that beautiful place.